No GOUGE Act

Protection Against Excessive Price Hikes: The bill prohibits the sale of tariffed goods at unreasonably high prices for five years after a tariff or a planned tariff is demonstrated (Section 3(a)(1)). This could prevent companies from using tariffs as a pretext to increase prices beyond their actual costs.

Accountability for Large Corporations: The act creates a presumption of a violation if a person with "unfair leverage"—defined as earning at least $1,000,000,000 in gross revenue—sells goods at a price higher than the 180-day average during a tariff-related shock date (Section 3(c)(1)). This holds large entities accountable for price increases.

Empowerment of State Officials: State attorneys general or officials can bring civil actions in state or federal courts to enjoin unfair practices, enforce compliance, or obtain damages and restitution for residents (Section 3(f)(1)).

Consumer Reporting Mechanism: The Federal Trade Commission must establish a way for consumers to report potential violations through telephone, mail, or a website (Section 3(h)).

Public Transparency: The bill requires the International Trade Commission and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to submit annual public reports on the prices of goods sold by large companies, specifically focusing on changes in the prices of tariffed goods (Section 4(a)(1)).

Cost Determination Delays: For goods subject to a planned tariff, no costs can be determined to be directly generated by the imposition of that tariff until the tariff actually enters into force (Section 3(a)(2)(B)).

Burden of Proof on Companies: To rebut a presumption of a violation during a tariff-related shock date, a person must demonstrate by "clear and convincing evidence" that the price increase was attributable in full to the costs generated by the tariff (Section 3(c)(2)).